Title

Lead Investigators

Project ID

Abstract

Local leaders, residents, and food producers band together to form a collaborative food system in the Iowa Valley region.

Key Question

How do we stimulate interest in local foods in Iowa?

Findings

This project showed that widespread interest exists among Iowa Valley policy makers, consumers and citizens in promoting production of local foods and in facilitating their sales and distribution to local consumers. There is an increasing demand for local food in this region, and a growing network of producers that can be utilized as a resource for new producers. This project also has identified problems as well as opportunities for local food producers, and laid the groundwork for addressing areas of concern.